SLOVAK INDUSTRY VISION DAY 2025: What Slovakia Needs To Compete In The AI Era

Slovak Industry Vision Day 2025 delivered a clear message. Slovakia is standing at a critical point. The country wants to benefit from the accelerating shift toward AI-driven industry, yet its readiness depends on how quickly talent, institutions and companies can adapt to technology progressing far faster than existing structures.

Elevon was represented at the conference by Matej Ferenčík, AI and Transformation Strategist at Elevon.io, who contributed perspectives from enterprise AI agent deployments.

1. Digitalization in Slovakia

Across the programme, one theme kept returning. Slovakia urgently needs targeted upskilling. AI is evolving faster than organisations can absorb, and the barrier today is not access to tools but the ability of people to work with them effectively.

Without practical competence building, AI adoption risks becoming cosmetic rather than transformative.

2. Digital Revolution and the Shift to Software-Defined Factories

Cybersecurity gaps and education deficits were highlighted as the main challenges for the automotive software ecosystem. The industry is transitioning from human-robotic hybrid factories to software-defined factories (SDF), where software, data and AI orchestrate the production lifecycle.

Slovakia's manufacturing strength is an advantage, yet without matching software capabilities, competitiveness will erode. Building specialised technical talent is becoming an urgent priority.

3. Real-World Examples: AI Already Delivering

Several presentations demonstrated how AI is moving from promise to measurable operational value.

• Slovak Space Office: AI plays a central role in space economics, from data analytics to autonomous missions and spacecraft quality control.
• M2M: Showcased the long-term vision of autonomous AI-enabled drones, including future applications for Mars exploration.
• DHL: Demonstrated AI use in customs processes and how intelligent systems simplify and accelerate regulated workflows.
• Aston ITM: Presented the role of AI assistants in daily operations. The discussion reflected a broader trend toward integrated intelligent systems rather than isolated automation tools.

4. Drones and AI: Regulation Behind the Curve

The drone and air-mobility segment highlighted another structural challenge. Regulation is fragmented, slow and not aligned with technological progress. Traffic management inefficiencies add friction. Compared with leading EU markets, Slovakia remains behind in enabling modern autonomous air traffic systems.

This slows down a sector in which Slovakia could otherwise excel.

Personal Insight

Two themes were particularly strong.

• AI can accelerate progress only if people know how to use it. Many organisations replicate existing inefficiencies instead of redesigning processes for intelligent automation. What is missing is practical, role-specific education.
• Regulation is more of a barrier than an enabler. EU-level rules aim to protect the market yet often slow adoption for companies that want to innovate responsibly.
• The education system does not reflect real skill demand. Curricula do not match the needs of AI-driven industries. Companies struggle to find talent capable of bridging technology and operations.
• Employee education is lacking at scale. Most corporate training remains generic. What companies need is actionable, targeted upskilling that helps teams work with AI systems correctly and productively.

Final Thought

Slovakia has the ambition and potential to thrive in the AI era. What is required now is a coordinated shift in skills, regulation and mindset. Technology is ready. The question is whether we are ready to use it well.